Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump extended the deadline for trade talks with the European Union, easing fears of looming tariffs that could weigh on global growth and oil demand. Brent crude rose 37 cents (0.6%) to $65.15 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 34 cents (0.6%) to $61.87 by 0001 GMT.
Analyst Tony Sycamore of IG Markets noted the "nice push higher" in both crude and U.S. equity futures following the deadline extension. Trump said he granted the EU’s request, led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for more time to strike a trade deal, pushing the deadline to July 9.
Oil prices also gained momentum after limited progress in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations reduced fears of increased Iranian crude supply. Additionally, pre-Memorial Day short covering by U.S. buyers contributed to Friday’s 0.5% gain in both Brent and WTI.
Further supporting prices was the latest report from Baker Hughes, showing U.S. energy firms cut the number of active oil rigs by eight last week, bringing the total to 465—the lowest since November 2021—amid pressure from recent price softness.
However, upside remained capped by expectations that OPEC+ could increase production further. The group may raise July output by an additional 411,000 barrels per day (bpd), with Reuters reporting plans to fully unwind its remaining 2.2 million bpd voluntary cuts by the end of October. The group had already adjusted targets upward by 1 million bpd for April through June.
Global oil markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, trade negotiations, and supply-side adjustments, all of which will shape near-term crude price trends.
